Chicago Fire wins soccer match at IMG Academy

Wednesday

Feb 12, 2014 at 8:48 AM

Special to Herald-Tribune

The Chicago Fire, a Major League Soccer franchise beat USL Pro champions Orlando City Soccer Club 3-0 in a friendly played Monday night at IMG Academy in Bradenton. The following is a release from IMG Academy.

.Major League Soccer preseason friendlies continued at IMG Academy in Bradenton, with the Chicago Fire taking on the two time USL Pro champions Orlando City Soccer Club, who is set to join Major League Soccer in 2015.

Hundreds of raucous Orlando City fans, carrying the banners of the “Iron Lion Firm” and “The Ruckus” created a veritable home field atmosphere for the visiting Orlando club. However, that did not stop the Chicago Fire from imposing its will on the soon-to-be MLS expansion franchise. Homegrown product Harry Shipp, a rookie signed directly from Notre Dame University and the 2013 ACC Offensive Player of the Year, found the back of the net on a free kick in the 14th minute. Not long afterward, guest player Daniel Jackson, a Coker College product hailing from South Haven, Mich. notched an impressive goal on a one-on-one break. The final score came in the second half when guest player Freddie Braun, who was brought in from Orlando City, scored on his former club in the 77th minute with an assist from midfielder Brendan King to finish off the Fire's 3-0 victory.

It marked the second consecutive win for Chicago at IMG Academy, who previously bested D.C. United on Saturday night, 1-0. However, D.C. will have a shot at redemption Wednesday morning as the action continues at 10:00 a.m. when the United takes on Chicago Fire at IMG Academy Stadium.

For the full schedule, directions to IMG Academy and to purchase tickets, please visit www.imgacademy.com/MLS